Keselowski claims Martinsville NASCAR Sprint Cup win

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Penske’s Brad Keselowski recovered from an early penalty to claim victory in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville.

Keselowski beat Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch to the win, the pair having battled for the lead over the course of the final 100 laps of the 500-lap distance.

But Keselowski broke free in the final 20 laps, as Busch began to complain about his handling on his final set of tyres, to secure the victory.

The win was Keselowski’s fifth-straight top-five finish, his longest such streak, while the result means he is the first NASCAR driver to win two Cup races this season.

Keselowski’s victory also came after he had been put to the back of the field by a penalty for speeding on pit road during the first caution after 69 laps, although he recovered to be back among the leading cars before half distance.

Chase Elliot finished third having been in contention with the leaders for a lot of the distance.

Keselowski’s Penske team-mate Joey Logano recovered to finish a strong fourth after an early pit road penalty, while he also sustained a flat left-rear tyre at half-distance that meant he lost two laps after pitting under green flag conditions.

Austin Dillon completed the top five, followed by AJ Allmendinger.

Poleman and points leader Kyle Larson led the first 23 laps but then fell back rapidly, complaining about poor drive off the corners.

Adjustments at his stops improved his handling but he still suffered with tyre longevity and battery problems and finished 17th.

Nine-time Martinsville winner Jimmie Johnson’s frustrating season continued, as he finished 15th having made an extra pit stop in the final 100 laps.

Busch’s late issues handling issues were not the only problems the 2015 champion faced.

Having led all of the second stage – after taking the lead under a full course yellow when those who gambled on not pitting finally did so – Busch was denied victory when Ricky Stenhouse Jr, keen to stay on the lead lap, pushed him wide – instead allowing Elliot to pip Busch on the line.

Martin Truex Jr won stage one after not pitting under a late yellow in the stage when Denny Hamlin and Busch ahead did so.

RESULT – 500 LAPS:

POSDRIVERTEAMCARGAP
1Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord3h44m59.s
2Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota1.806s
3Chase ElliottHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet21h15m01.s
4Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord21h15m01.s
5Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet21h15m01.s
6A.J. AllmendingerJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet21h15m01.s
7Clint BowyerStewart-Haas RacingFord21h15m01.s
8Ryan NewmanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet21h15m01.s
9Matt KensethJoe Gibbs RacingToyota21h15m01.s
10Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Roush Fenway RacingFord21h15m01.s
11Chris BuescherJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet21h15m01.s
12Erik JonesFurniture Row RacingToyota21h15m01.s
13Trevor BayneRoush Fenway RacingFord21h15m01.s
14Kasey KahneHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet21h15m01.s
15Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet21h15m01.s
16Martin Truex Jr.Furniture Row RacingToyota21h15m01.s
17Kyle LarsonChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet21h15m01.s
18Aric AlmirolaRichard Petty MotorsportsFord21h15m01.s
19Paul MenardRichard Childress RacingChevrolet21h15m01.s
20Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord21h15m01.s
21Cole WhittTriStar MotorsportsChevrolet1 Lap
22Ty DillonGermain RacingChevrolet1 Lap
23Danica PatrickStewart-Haas RacingFord1 Lap
24David RaganFront Row MotorsportsFord2 Laps
25Ryan BlaneyWood Brothers RacingFord2 Laps
26Michael McDowellLeavine Family RacingChevrolet3 Laps
27Landon CassillFront Row MotorsportsFord3 Laps
28Corey LaJoieBK RacingToyota4 Laps
29Gray GauldingBK RacingToyota5 Laps
30Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota7 Laps
31Reed SorensonPremium MotorsportsChevrolet8 Laps
32Daniel SuarezJoe Gibbs RacingToyota11 Laps
33Timmy HillRick Ware RacingChevrolet14 Laps
34Dale Earnhardt Jr.Hendrick MotorsportsChevroletAccident
35Matt DiBenedettoGo FAS RacingFordAccident
36Jeffrey EarnhardtCircle Sport / TMGChevroletAccident
37Kurt BuschStewart-Haas RacingFordAccident
38Jamie McMurrayChip Ganassi RacingChevroletAccident

Keselowski claims Martinsville NASCAR Sprint Cup win

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